Re: End of tether....anyone any advice I had the lead round my waist, Lab suddenly lunged and I was pulled so hard I went onto my back and cracked my head, thought I had killed myself - seriously! Would never do that again with a Lab.
Re: End of tether....anyone any advice I found attaching the lead to my waist was great - although obviously, it's right that people are aware of the possible downsides. I have never let go of my dog's lead and never wished he wasn't attached to me - and I have wrapped the lead round my wrist, during Charlie's lunging period, resulting in terrible bruising. A waist belt was a much, much better option. I was much more stable with the lead attached to my waist, which is obviously going to be the case, with a lower attachment point. You can get attachments with strong bungy code to reduce shock, quick release mechanisms and if you really wanted to, you could attach the lead to a breaking point so the dog was released at a certain shock point (although I'd never do that, just as I'd never willing let go of the lead).
Re: End of tether....anyone any advice Our dog walkers walk each with 5 dogs attached to a waist belt. The dogs all have head collars. Mind you, the dogs all know the rules and mostly do not pull (and I'm sure they compose the groups very carefully).
Re: End of tether....anyone any advice Hello, I just wanted to say that I sympathise entirely with what you're going through. Our lab is 17 months old and is proving a real handful - persistent escaping, pulling, nicking things off worktops and chewing things. I spent Sat night at the emergency vets as may daughter thought she saw him pinch and swallow a battery..... I've had to retrieve him twice this morning already and am getting to the end of my tether too. My husband lie your is not a dog lover (though he does walk him every morning) and I'm finding it harder to defend Max's behaviour to him. I don't have much in the way of solutions, other than to say Max was much better when wearing the halti body harness (as opposed to the head one) and a double lead - it gave me much more control and that dog training classes have been a good support for us. Please keep us posted - I dearly hope for you & us that re-homing doesn't have to become an option, but if it does, get support while you're doing it so as not to feel so alone.
Re: End of tether....anyone any advice just wondered if you have found anyone who could help you i know how hard it is when you feel you are not making any progress
Re: End of tether....anyone any advice I've had great success with the Halti redirectional (front fastening) harness. Snowie hated the head halter (I think it's also called the gentle leader) -- he'd push his head between my legs and almost throw me off balance. I have complete control over him with the redirectional harness although I am sure I have also become much stronger!! Snowie is exuberant and pulls when he sees a dog he MUST meet and greet (he is a very friendly dog!). But he's also as strong as an ox, very powerful, and with the regular harness he could pull me along. In fact, a friend's small daughter used him to pull her along (with the regular harness) while she skated behind him -- great fun for her and him! For safety, I attached a second lead onto him in case he bolted. But surprisingly he didn't -- I think he was having too much fun. I also use an Ezydog leash -- it's a bungee cord with a ski-like handle. I had to order it from the US (you can't buy it in South Africa), and it made all the difference in saving my hands from getting squashed -- the handle doesn't bend and crush your hand. I know, nothing is better than training, but the harness and leash made everything so much more comfortable. I never thought I'd ever be able to enjoy walking Snowie on a leash. But like people, dogs grow older and slower, and at almost three years old, he is SO much easier. I have to admit he still pulls when he gets excited, but oh my word, nothing like when he was younger. Can you not let your dog play off leash, say in a park where dogs and children are welcome? I realise you lose the benefit of leash training, but at least you can relax a bit. Good luck! I do hope you manage to find a solution that works for you.
Re: End of tether....anyone any advice hi how are you getting on did you keep your dog or rehome her would like to find out how you are getting on
